What is Transgender Awareness Week?

What is Transgender Awareness week?

It’s Transgender awareness week! But what does this mean and how can you be a better ally?

Every year between the 13th and 19th of November, transgender awareness week is observed internationally. The dates were chosen to countdown to the transgender day of remembrance on November 20th, an annual observance that honours the memory of the transgender people whose lives were lost in acts of anti-transgender violence that year.

The week began in the 2010s as a community-driven initiative created by trans advocates and LGBTQ+ organisations in the United States (including GLAAD and GLSEN).

As visibility increased, advocates recognised that TDOR needed a runway, a space to educate, inform, and share trans stories. This evolved into what we now know as Transgender Awareness Week, observed internationally.

The week aims to increase understanding of transgender identities and experiences, highlight the discrimination and violence trans people face, celebrate trans joy, creativity, and cultural impact, encourage allies to take meaningful action and build safer and more inclusive environments.

So, why does the week still matter? Despite growing visibility, hostility toward trans people has increased, including in the UK.

According to Stonewall, hate crimes against trans identity have risen by around 88% in the UK over the past five years. Moreover, according to the Good Law project, 26% of trans adults in the UK say they are “fairly” or “very likely” to leave the UK within the next decade because of how trans issues are being handled.

All of this means it’s more important to be an ally now than ever.

If you want to support trans friends, colleagues, and listeners, here are five simple but meaningful actions:

• Listen to trans people about their experiences.
• Respect names and pronouns.
• Challenge transphobia - in media, politics, and everyday conversation.
• Educate yourself about trans experiences.
• Support trans-led organisations.

Being an ally is active, not passive - and small actions add up.

Trans Awareness Week isn’t only about struggle. It’s also about joy - the beauty, humour, creativity, brilliance, and culture shaped by trans people every day. We hope you take the week to become educated and celebrate all the brilliant contributions transgender people make to society!